Display stopper for beverage container lids

ABSTRACT

An attachment for a beverage container lid is provided, comprising a plug-like stopper with a vertical pull-tab, and being preferably made of an edible flavorful material, such as vanilla gel or molded crystalline sugar. The stopper prevents spillage of the liquid contents of the container, while the vertical pull-tab is suited for display of a trade-mark or logo, relating to the beverage or otherwise. In a preferred embodiment, the stopper would be oval-shaped to fit the drink hole in common coffee cup lids.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of beverage container lids. In particular it relates to lids with apertures that allow the user to drink from beverage containers that are otherwise sealed by the lids.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR TECHNOLOGY

There are removable beverage container lids that can be reattached. Disposable coffee cup lids are commonly provided by coffee shops for take-out orders.

There also exist removable and replaceable caps for drinking containers, such as are found on canteens, thermos', bicycle bottles and pop bottles.

There are also edible containers, such as bowls for soup made out of compacted baked bread. and candy simulation of containers, such as candy baby bottle nipples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An attachment for a beverage container lid is provided, comprising a plug-like stopper and a vertical pull-tab, and being preferably made of an edible flavorful material, such as vanilla gel or molded crystalline sugar. The vertical tab is suited for display of a trade-mark or logo, relating to the beverage or otherwise. In a preferred embodiment, the stopper would be oval-shaped to fit the drink hole in a common coffee cup lid, to prevent spillage of the liquid contents of the cup.

The display stopper attachment device being composed of a tasty, safe-to-eat substance provides benefit to the consumer and to the environment, as it does not need to be discarded. It can be sucked or chewed as a complement to the beverage, or can be made of readily soluble flavoring and put into the beverage if desired. The vertical pull-tab and the stopper form a unitary piece joined with sufficient strength that the device can be easily removed by the consumer simply by pulling upwards on the vertical pull-tab. The plug-like stopper portion is narrow enough to snugly fit in the sipping aperture and the vertical pull-tab has a buttressing base that is wider than the stopper portion and overlaps the rim area adjacent to the sipping aperture.

The edible display stopper can be reinserted to lessen the possibility of spilling of the beverage. Coffee spills, for example, can be not only hot and hazardous to the skin, but can stain clothing and automobile upholstery.

The vertical pull-tab can be stamped with a company logo or other attractive design that the seller may wish to display.

This edible display stopper device thus performs three functions:

-   1. it is a removable stopper to prevent or reduce the chance of     spilling of a beverage in a lidded container; -   2. it is an edible material which can be used as an additional     flavouring for the beverage in the container; -   3. it has a vertical pull-tab that faces the user and can usefully     display a logo or message. -   4. the stopper plug portion is narrow enough to snugly fit in the     sipping aperture; -   5. the vertical pull-tab has a buttressing base that is wider than     the stopper portion adapted to overlap the rim area adjacent to the     sipping aperture.

The invention is thus a display stopper attachment for a beverage container lid, comprising a plug-like stopper with a display pull-tab formed to stand away from the lid while preventing spillage from the beverage container lid. The display pull-tab extends from a top surface of the beverage container lid and has a noticeable display area when the plug-like stopper is inserted in a sipping aperture in the beverage cup lid.

In a preferred embodiment, the display stopper attachment fits a coffee cup lid, with the stopper being narrow enough to snugly fit in the sipping aperture and the vertical pull-tab having a wider buttressing base that overlaps the rim area adjacent to the sipping aperture of the coffee cup lid, the pull-tab being substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the coffee cup lid and having a face displayed toward a user when the user holds a coffee cup in typical fashion ready to drink, after the display stopper has been inserted into a sipping aperture in the coffee cup lid. The display stopper attachment would preferably be formed of a edible, soluble, flavouring material suited for use with a drink of coffee.

The display pull-tab and the stopper are unitary or joined with sufficient strength that the display stopper attachment can be easily removed by a consumer by pulling upwards on the pull-tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container lid in which the drinking aperture on the lid has been plugged with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the device of FIG. 1, showing a different message on the back of the pull-tab.

FIG. 3 is the rear view of the device of FIG. 2, in which the edible display stopper is shown removed from the beverage container lid's drinking aperture.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a typical beverage container lid.

FIG. 5 a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view with hidden lines, showing a stir stick variant of the edible display stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a minimalist tab variant of the edible display stopper of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view with a partial cutaway, showing a molded logo variant of the edible display stopper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a coffee cup lid (1), with an edible display stopper (2) inserted into the sipping aperture (shown in later Figures as (5)). The edible display stopper's vertical pull-tab (3) has an octagonal shape and bears an ‘SS’ logo (6) impressed upon the front surface of the pull-tab (3). The rim ring (19) and the overlap ring (2) of the coffee cup lid (1) are shown, as well as the indented top surface (17), below and abutting top brace (21). The display stopper (2) has a display base (22) that is wider than the sipping aperture and overlaps it.

Referring to FIG. 2, the edible display stopper (2) is shown partially removed from the coffee cup lid (1), with the display base (22) now above and removed from overlapping the sipping aperture (shown in later Figures as (5)). The edible display stopper can be reversable. It can have a logo (for example, the ‘SS’ shown in FIG. 1) on a front side of the pull-tab (3) and a message on a rear side (7) such as “Sweet Stop”. Instead of a message, there could be a picture or an appealing design. The plug-like stopper portion (15) is partially visible, extending from the coffee cup lid (1).

In FIG. 3, the edible display stopper (2) is shown fully removed from the sipping aperture of the coffee cup lid (1), and the plug-like stopper portion (15) can be seen in its full vertical extent.

Referring to FIG. 4, the sipping aperture (5) in the coffee cup lid (1) can have a rim (4) that is oval shaped, in which case the lower stopper portion of the edible display stopper would be shaped complementarily to fit. The rim ring (19) and the overlap ring (2) of the coffee cup lid (1) enable the lid to snap over the rim of a coffee cup and provide a drip edge.

Referring to FIG. 5, the top surfaces of the octogonal shaped pull-tab (3) of FIG. 1 cover the sipping aperture when inserted into the coffee cup lid (1). A back buttress (16) can be formed on the base of the display pull-tab (3) to reduce the possibility of breakage of the display pull-tab from the plug-like stopper portion. This feature can also be seen in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 6, it is shown that the lower portion (15) of the edible display stopper can be extended to a stir stick portion (14) that is long enough to protrude into the beverage below the lid (1), where it can perform a stirring function, and may become partially dissolved in the beverage, depending on its composition. Alternatively, it could be longitudinally hollow (23) except for an end cap portion, which could be at the display pull-tab or the bottom (24) for sealing. but could be bitten off, dissolved or otherwise removed to allow the extension to become a straw. The rounded pull-tab portion (9) allows more grasping area for the user than if it were only as narrow as the lower portion (15). The stylized ‘S’ logo (8) on the vertical front face of the edible display stopper could be that of a coffee retail chain, supplier, another beverage company, or restaurant.

FIG. 7 shows a basic edible display stopper, where the pull-tab (11) is the same width as the plug portion of the edible display stopper (2). The coffee cup lid (1) has a three-dimensional top structure for strength that includes a lower inner surface plane (13). The lower portion (15) of the edible display stopper would typically reach past at least that plane (13), while the display base (22) would overlap the sipping aperture rim, being too wide to fit within the sipping aperture, providing stability for the edible display stopper when inserted within the sipping aperture of the coffee cup lid (1). The ‘V’ logo (10) on the vertical front face (11) of a stick shaped display portion version of the edible display stopper could be that an advertiser of wares unrelated to the beverage who the merely wished the logo for its wares or services to be displayed while the edible display stopper was facing its consumer. The logo could be that of a special event or promoter, with the edible display stopper sold or given away at the event or during promotional activities for the event.

Referring to FIG. 8, the coffee cup lid (1) is shown with a middle area cutaway view where the edible display stopper (2) has been inserted to the point that its lower portion (15) plugs the sipping aperture, while its display base 22 rests on, overlaps, and thus caps the sipping aperture. The pull-tab (12) can itself be shaped in a logo form, such as the ‘S’ shown at (12), provided its material is cohesive enough to enable removal by the user.

Referring to FIG. 9, the lower portion (15) of the display stopper (2) is oval shaped to match the typical oval-shaped sipping aperture on a coffee cup lid.

Referring to FIG. 10, the back buttress (16) is joined to the display stopper (2) and extends to the indented surface (17) of the coffee cup lid (1), to provide extra strength during removal of the edible display stopper by grasping on the display portion (3), and to provide extra stability when inserted into the sipping aperture, whose rim (4) is shown plugged by the narrower lower portion (15).

The above-described pull-tab display stopper make be embodied in a variety of shapes and compositions. The preferred embodiments involve a stopper and pull-tab that is: a) designed to prevent spillage of the liquid contents of the beverage container, b) designed to be tasty and safe-to-eat, and c) designed to present a display that can be varied to the specifications of the user.

An further advantage of having the device composed of edible, readily soluble material is for safety when ingested. The device can be formed of sugar, flavored candy, chocolate, vanilla, or other beverage flavour additives. The device could be hollow and contain a coffee bean.

As a option, edible adhesive could be used on the display stopper in the area where it would abut the rim of the sipping aperture when inserted into the beverage container lid, in order to enhance the sealing effect.

The within-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms and with additional options and accessories without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A display stopper attachment for a beverage container lid, comprising a plug-like stopper with a display pull-tab formed to stand away from the lid while preventing spillage from the beverage container lid.
 2. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display pull-tab extends from a top surface of the beverage container lid and has a noticeable display area when the plug-like stopper is inserted in a sipping aperture in the beverage cup lid.
 3. The display stopper attachment of claim 2, in which the display pull-tab is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the beverage container lid when the plug-like stopper is inserted in an aperture for sipping that is formed in the beverage container lid.
 4. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display stopper is made of an edible material.
 5. The display stopper attachment of claim 4, in which the display stopper attachment is made of a soluble material.
 6. The display stopper attachment of claim 4, in which the display stopper attachment is made of a sweetener material.
 7. The display stopper attachment of claim 4, in which the display stopper attachment is made of a flavouring material.
 8. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display stopper attachment has a face displayed toward a user when the user holds a beverage container on which the display stopper attachment has been inserted into a sipping aperture.
 9. The display stopper attachment of claim 8, in which the face displays a design.
 10. The display stopper attachment of claim 8, in which the face displays a message.
 11. The display stopper attachment of claim 8, in which the display pull- tab is formed as a logo.
 12. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display pull-tab and the stopper are joined with sufficient strength that the display stopper attachment can be easily removed by a consumer by pulling upwards on the display pull-tab.
 13. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the stopper has an extension for reaching into the beverage container to function as a stir stick or a straw upon an end cap portion of the extension being removed.
 14. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display pull-tab and the stopper have a display base portion adapted to overlap a sipping aperture in a lid and have a narrower plug-like stopper portion adapted to fit within the sipping aperture.
 15. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the stopper has a display base portion that comprises at least one buttressing portion for the display pull-tab.
 16. The display stopper attachment of claim 1, in which the display pull tab is hollow and contains a substance of interest to a consumer.
 17. The display stopper attachment of claim 16, in which the display pull- tab contains a coffee bean.
 18. The display stopper attachment of claim 11, in which an edible adhesive is applied to the display stopper attachment in an area where the edible adhesive would abut the rim of a sipping aperture when inserted into the beverage container lid, in order to enhance sealing by the display stopper attachment.
 19. The display stopper attachment of claim 16, in which the beverage container lid is a coffee cup lid.
 20. The display stopper attachment of claim 2, in which: a) the beverage container lid is a coffee cup lid; b) the display pull-tab is substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the coffee cup lid and has a face displayed toward a user when the user holds a coffee cup in typical fashion ready to drink, when the display stopper has been inserted into a sipping aperture. c) the display stopper attachment is made of an edible, soluble, flavouring material; in which the display pull-tab and the stopper are joined with sufficient strength that the display stopper attachment can be easily removed by a consumer by pulling upwards on the display pull-tab, and in which the display pull-tab and the stopper have a wide display base portion adapted to overlap a sipping aperture in a lid and have a narrower plug-like stopper portion adapted to fit within the sipping aperture, and in which the stopper has a display base portion that comprises at least one buttressing portion for the display pull-tab. 